Makkah and its Significance

Today is the day of Arafah. Millions have either arrived in the Arafah plains or still on their foot hoping to reach there before Zuhr today. In Makkah itself, the crowd of hujjaj has thinned and today is also the day for the annual Kiswah changeover. I managed to catched a glimpse on the process of changing the cloth covering Ka'abah telecast live from Saudi Channel 1. Its pleasing to the eyes to see the ka'abah bricks and mortar under the all too familiar black Kiswah. Maybe one day I hope to witness that in person. InsyaAllah.

While in Makkah last year, our group Syeikh Ustaz shared some history and significance about Makkah. Here, I recalled back my memory on the blessed city and what I gathered from the Syeikh.
Makkah is the holiest city on earth to Muslims. It is variously known as Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Umm Al-Qura (the origin of the Cities; Asyu-a-ra' QS26:7), Al Balad (the City; Al-Balad QS90:1-2) , Al Balad Al-Ameen (the Secure City ), and Al-Balad Al-Haram (the Sacred City), Al-Qaryah (The village An-Nahl QS116:112, Muammad QS47:13). It is also known as 'Bakkah' referred to in the Surah Ali-Imran which means congested with people.

Makkah is and has been the center of the earth from the beginning of time and during the period of the Prophet Muhammad it was turn into the Qiblat (direction) for mankind to worship Allah. Evidence are plenty around the city of Makkah which proven it to be the oldest city ever built on earth. People from the Arab jazeera as well as around the world ply the trade route there and made Makkah the center of trading as well as worshipers.

The peace and harmony in the city not only felt by human who live there but also by animals and trees. Hujjaj are prohibited to kill animal while they are assuming the intention to perform Hajj as prescribed in the Quran Al-Maidah QS5:95-96. Those who 'Ilhad' or assume evil intention but have not even commit the offense while in Makkah and the surrounding land of Haram will be recorded as doing a crime and punishment is severe by Allah as also evidence in Surah Hajj QS22:25. Thus is how Allah protect his house the Baitullah Al Haram.

It was said that the Ka'abah was first built by Prophet Adam and has gone through 12 times of rebuilding. The most famous of the builders were Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail who built and raised the Ka'abah as we have seen today. This fact was clearly marked in history as recorded by the Al-Quran in Al-Baqarah QS2:127. Prophet Ibrahim supplicated to Allah to bless Makkah as a safe haven where worshipers of Allah will come to visit and hence it was said that the Makkah land of Haram was declared by him.

Later, Makkah was hit by a major flood that destroyed the Ka'abah and hence it was rebuilt by the Quraisy and Prophet Muhammad was chosen to be the righteous one among his people to reinstall the Hajr Aswad in its rightful place. This took place at a time before he assume the prophet hood.

Now, there are 934 markers built around Makkah to signify the boundary between Land of Haram and Halal. The main entrance to Makkah are Tanaim, Adhat Libn, Asy-Syara'i, Al-Hudaibiyah and Jabal Namirah in Arafah.

Almost all of the major places in Makkah are related to a very big part of the world history. For example, the very foundation of the Ka'abah itself was said to be the first ground that Allah created when he created the earth. While Jabal Qubais where the current King's palace is located is said to be the first mountain that Allah created.
Jabal Qubais and the palace.

The hill of Safa where one begins his Sai'e ritual was the hill that Prophet Muhammad climbed to the top and begin his first sermon to the public when Allah instructed him to perform Da'awah openly. Here on the hill, the Prophet and his sahabah(companion) Abdullah Abbas met a Syaithan (devil) who has lived from the time of Habil & Qabil (Kane & Abel) which proofs that devils are granted with long life. The Safa hill is also said to be the place where a weird animal name Dabbah will rise from it which would signify the end of time.

Jabal Nur is the location where Hira' cave is located and here is the place where the first verse of the Quran was read to the prophet by the angel Jibrail (Gabriel). Maybe next time if I go to Makkah, i will make sure that i climbed this steep hill and experience myself the harship face by the prophet.
Over the time, Makkah has changed a lot and none of the historical buildings were preserved as the Saudi government hold a strict policy concerning idolization. Many buildings like the house of the Prophet was demolished to avoid from ill-intent worshipers from idolizing the place. Although buildings were destroyed or renovated, the location still remain and over the years people will still pass on the story of places where they were thought to be original location.

For example, the library on the east of the Masjidil Haram was said to be the location of the house where Prophet Muhammad was born. The significant of this building is it is directly facing the Babussalam and hence the Ka'abah door. Coincidence? Not!
The library said to be the ouse where Prophet was born.

The location of the current Hilton Hotel now was said to be the original house of Abu Bakr sahabah and father in law of the Prophet. There is a Musolla by his name inside the Hilton building.

The location of the Sofitel Hotel now was said to be the house of Uthman Ibni Affan, the wealthiest of the Prophet's sahabah.

The Souk-ul-Lail was the night market where the Prophet carried out his business during nighttime when he was boycotted by the people of Makkah for conveying Islam.

The Abi Arqam entrance to the Masjid was said to be the house of Abi Arqam where the prophet teaches the religion in private to Muslim during the first few years.

Masjid Rayyah or more fondly known as Masjid 'Kucing' (cat) to Malaysian hujjaj is associated with the history of the Fathu Makkah (the reopening of Makkah)

Masjid Jinn is the location where the Prophet made a barrier for his Sahabah, Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud for protection against the disturbing Jinn when the Prophet is visiting the Jinn's village.

So, the above are some of the stories I collected from the Syeikh during my month long stay in Makkah. It was an eye opener and made me appreciate more of Makkah as I walk in its street and visualizing how it was back than.

Actually it helps much if we understand Makkah and its history while we perform the Hajj rituals. Once we can visualize the history than it become clear the philosophy behind each rituals. In fact a lot of the manasik is actually reenactment of the past. For e.g. Sai'e relates the story of Hajar, Prophet Ibrahim A.S wife who were searching for water for her son Ismail which made her to run up and down the hill of Safa and Marwah.

It is not so hard to imagine the spirit and feeling of Hajar who was left there alone in the middle of a dessert unfamiliar to her with a new born son, with no food or water. Imagine what she feels like then, her fortitude, her resolution and at the same time exhaustion, terrified, afraid. But she did not give up but fix her faith fully in Allah. Allah will never abandon those who are righteous.

As you perform the Sai'e and watch your wife doing the same you would pray that she would have the same courage and spirit of Hajar.. Amin!